Demystifying Axial Spondyloarthritis in Primary Care: Recognition, Diagnosis, and What Comes Next

TARGET AUDIENCE:
This activity is designed to meet the educational needs of Primary Care Physicans, Physican Assistants and Nurse Practitioners.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW:
This activity will help increase knowledge and awareness of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) among Primary Care providers, giving them tools to appropriately suspect, diagnose, and refer axSpA patients to rheumatology, with the ultimate goal of improving patient outcomes.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be better able to:
1) Recognize patients who may have axial spondyloarthritis among those presenting with chronic back pain.
2) Distinguish between inflammatory back pain and mechanical back pain.
3) Recognize spinal and extra-spinal feature of axial spondyloarthritis.
4) Identify steps involved in the work up of a patient with suspected axial spondyloarthritis and know when to refer the patient to rheumatology.
5) Identify radiographic (x-ray) features of axial spondyloarthritis.